Peschang—293 (Deb, got any little igloo pictures?)
Addressing Social Problems in a Rural Alaska Native Village
Significant events in the latter half of the 20th century left many Alaska Native villages in
a state of cultural confusion, economically unstable and with some of the highest rates of
social problems in the nation. Treatment of substance abuse, suicide, child abuse, etc. in
rural villages has largely been misunderstood and neglected for decades and has had a
devastating impact on the social and cultural fabric of the villages.
One tribe recently used a future search to engage its tribal members in addressing their
own social problems. The conferencewas well attended. The participants completed a
comprehensive planning process for the village that included extensive discussions about
the social problems. During the Shared History, the group traced the onset of social
problems to the boarding school era when many youth were sent away, creating a major
disruption in traditional village life. Some had good experiences but others suffered
abuse. At the same time, the village experienced wholesale changes to its traditional way
of life that introduced alcohol and inhibited traditional healing practices.
As the group processed the information, they gained a greater understanding of the
problems and collectively agreed that it was time for a community wide healing process.
Their action planning outlined a broad-based plan for healing and formed a working
group to refine and implement their plans. Since the conference, the working group has
defined its mission, appointed a special sub-committee to address on-going social
problems, and submitted proposals for community education and social services. The
process has united the village and helped village members organize efforts to move
beyond this destructive phase in their history so they can get on with their vision for the
future.
--Pete Peschang
1